Sausage Rolls Simplified: An Easy Guide for Beginners
Who doesn’t love a delicious, flaky, and savory sausage roll? This simple, classic appetizer is a crowd-pleaser for sure. But if you’ve never made them before, the thought of making pastry from scratch and stuffing it with delicious sausage filling can be daunting. Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll simplify the easy sausage rolls-making process for beginners. We will break down each step, so that you can confidently make a delectable sausage roll perfect for any occasion.
Step 1: Preparing the Pastry
To make the perfect sausage rolls, you need the perfect pastry. For starters, you can make your life easier and use pre-made puff pastry from the store. It’s always available in the frozen section of your local supermarket. When you’re ready to start, you will need to thaw the pastry the night before by leaving it out of the freezer in the fridge. Once thawed, let it sit out for 15-20 minutes to soften enough for handling before rolling it out. Next, lightly dust a clean surface and your rolling pin with flour. Roll out your puff pastry to a thickness of 1/8 inch (3 millimeters), and make the pastry rectangular in shape. This will ensure that the sausage rolls are uniform in size once cut.
Step 2: Making the Sausage Filling
While waiting for the pastry dough to thaw, it’s time to make the sausage filling. You may opt to use different kinds of sausage for your roll, but for this recipe, we’ll use Italian sausage. Remove the sausage from its casing and fry it in a skillet over medium heat. Once the sausage is cooked, add minced onion, garlic, paprika, and black pepper to the skillet, and cook until the onion is translucent. Place the mixture in a bowl to cool down completely before filling your pastry with it.
Step 3: Assembling Your Sausage Roll
When your pastry dough and sausage filling are ready, it’s time to assemble your sausage roll. Preheat your oven to 220°C/430°F and cover the baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut your pastry dough into 3-inch-wide strips. Once cut, spoon the cooled sausage filling onto a strip of pastry dough. Roll up gently and press down the edge to seal tightly. Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash over the pastry rolls for that perfect golden result once baked.
Step 4: Baking Your Sausage Rolls
To bake your sausage rolls, place your rolls on the prepared baking tray and bake them in a preheated oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown. You will know your rolls are ready once the pastry is puffy and golden brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the sausage rolls cool down for a few minutes before serving.
Step 5: Serving Your Sausage Rolls
Once your sausage rolls are ready, it’s time to indulge! Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce like spicy ketchup or English mustard. You can also store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze the uncooked sausage rolls so that you can always have a ready-made appetizer on hand. Simply bake from frozen, increase your baking time by 5-7 minutes, and voila, you have some delicious sausage rolls ready to serve.
Conclusion:
Making sausage rolls may seem complicated, but with this simplified guide, you’ll be able to make them comfortably. These rolls are perfect for appetizers, brunch, or potluck parties. Easier versions of the sausage rolls are available everywhere, like the frozen section of the supermarket. However, it’s always fun to make pastry dough from scratch! Try this recipe at home and share your take on this classic appetizer.
